Do you have what it takes? Earn $50... The promoter has promised that no experts will finish in less than two hours. He is so confident of this statement that all expert course riders who prove him wrong and finish under two hours will receive 50 bucks (that's right $50.00).

Sue Haywood Yard Sale in 1999Photo by Marty Lamp

Return of the Single Track Extravaganza: This is arguably one of the hardest courses in the WVMBA Point series. In past years this course has been called the Scariest Mountain Bike Race in the World. And this year we've added more singletrack than ever for your riding entertainment. In fact, this race even sent Gunnar Shogren to the ER for a number of stitches from the Death Drop and Sue Haywood was photo documented giving a yard sale in Spectator Falls.

This course is not for the faint of heart. The singletracks are tight, with random rocks, roots, tree trunks, drop-offs, jumps and switchbacks strewn throughout. All who accomplish a finish will know they have raced The Bear. Even the Beginners, with their abbreviated course, will face their hardest challenge of the season, with little to no mercy until you reach the finish line. Riders under 14 should think twice before racing The Bear, as this course is just plain tough!

Gunnar runs Spectator FallsPhoto by Marty Lamp

The experts will travel six times to the ridge with the final ascent culminating in one of the hardest hike-a-bikes in the series. But don't despair, the descents are hair raising as well. Teaberry Rock, The Bear and Pine Ridge all contain black diamond sections that can leave you broken, bloody or bruised. Please remember that every mountain bike comes equipped with a hiker. On the climbs your muscles will tell you when it's time to get off and on the descents your brain, if it's getting enough oxygen, will tell you when it's time to get off. Ride within your abilities.

Again this year the Spectator Falls section of the Black Bear trail will be omitted in favor of the longer bypass route. However, there is a section above Spectator Falls that, while not as steep, has become quite challenging. It's littered with baby head and larger sized rocks and a few small trees. Last year saw a number of hardy souls that made the trek up or rode down before the start of the race to watch riders brave the big gnarly rock garden.

Details:

Experts will start at 11:00am and everyone else will start at 12:00pm

Registration starts at 8:30 with the first 100 racers receiving a free T-shirt

All finishers will receive a "Finishers" pint glass commemorating their achievement

Free meal and showers available for all racers

About Kanawha State Forest: Located just 7-miles south of Charleston, West Virginia, this 9,300-acre forest is in close proximity to Kanawha Valley, and Charleston. For more information go to www.kanawhastateforest.com

Directions: From I-64 in Charleston, take Exit 58A, drive south on US 119. Turn left onto Oakwood Rd. at the second stop light, (following the brown and white routing signs)go 3/4 mile and take a left before George Washington High School continuing on Oakwood Road, turn right onto Bridge Rd., and right onto Connell Rd. At the bottom of Connell, make a sharp left onto Kanawha Forest Drive, follow to the forest entrance.